Vice President of Development

Overview

Since our founding in 1924, we've cut cardiovascular disease deaths in half, but there is still so much more to do. To overcome today’s biggest health challenges and accelerate this progress, we need passionate individuals like you. Join our movement, be part of the progress, and help ensure a healthier future for all. You matter, and so does the impact you can make with us.

The Vice President of Development will lead a fundraising team and work closely with corporate and community leaders to grow philanthropic support throughout the Nashville market. This role is responsible for achieving fundraising revenue goals, strengthening community partnerships, managing key corporate relationships, and recruiting and supporting volunteer leaders. The VP will provide leadership and accountability to both staff and volunteers to help ensure fundraising goals are met. This position reports to the Executive Director.

The Association offers many resources to help you maintain work-life harmonization through your changing needs and life situations. To help you be successful, you will have access to Heart U, our award-winning corporate university, as well as additional training and support, locally.

#TheAHALife is more than a company culture; it is our way of life. It embodies our commitment to work-life harmonization and is guided by our core values, where our employees can thrive both personally and professionally. Discover why you will Be Seen. Be Heard. Be Valued at the American Heart Association by following us on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, X, and at heart.jobs.

Responsibilities

• Leading and managing staff to achieve goals by directing a complete fundraising plan. Responsibilities include managing timelines and holding staff accountable for major campaigns such as Heart Walk, Heart Ball, Impact Campaigns, and Go Red for Women.

• Operationalizing the vision, management of staff, and implementation of strategic priorities, and volunteer and employee engagement plans.

• Owning the overall strategy for successful fundraising, adherence to prescribed timelines, protocols, and staff accountability.

• Recruiting and leading C-suite level volunteers and volunteer leadership committees to implement and successfully complete assigned revenue goals and activities.

• Engage top employers, Fortune 1000 companies, and major medical institutions in strategic partnerships.

• Achieve Best Practices in volunteer recruitment, i.e., committee structure in place 18 months prior to the event, and secure three-year commitments of Event Chairs for each event.

• Achieve financial targets while managing multiple revenue channels.

• Drive new business development and grow the number of new partnerships supporting the work of the Association.

• Develop and manage key strategies for individual giving and donor engagement, including but not limited to Cor Vitae Society, the American Heart Association’s annual philanthropic giving society.

• Prepare the events budget for the market and ensure expenditures are reasonable.

• Drive revenue growth by implementing successful approaches developed across the organization.

• In partnership with the Executive Director, identify and engage potential national corporate partners and top philanthropists in relationship with the American Heart Association.

• Participate in community and corporate functions that will provide networking and visibility opportunities to facilitate generating new business contacts.

Qualifications

• University/College degree or equivalent experience.

• 5 years of relevant experience in fundraising, sales, or equivalent experience.

• 5 years of supervisory experience, preferably with fundraising or sales staff.

• Ability and experience recruiting, training, and encouraging top-level donors and volunteers.

• Excellent listening skills, including verbal and non-verbal communication, active listening, negotiating, problem-solving, and decision-making.

• Highly effective organizational skills, time management, responsibility, leadership, and motivation.

• Ability to work outside of standard hours, which may involve some evenings and/or weekends.

• Ability and willingness to travel extensively throughout assigned geographical territory.

Compensation & Benefits

The American Heart Association invests in its people. Here are the main components of our total rewards package. Visit Rewards & Benefits to see more details.

• Compensation – Our goal is to ensure you have a competitive base salary. That’s why we regularly review the market value of jobs and make adjustments, as needed.

• Performance and Recognition – You are rewarded for achieving success through annual salary planning and incentive programs; this position is incentive eligible based on achieving certain targets.

• Benefits – We offer a wide array of benefits including medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance, along with a robust retirement program that includes an employer match and automatic contribution. As a mark of our commitment to employee well-being, we also offer an employee assistance program, employee wellness program and telemedicine, and medical consultation.

• Professional Development – You can join one of our many Employee Resource Groups (ERG) or be a mentor/mentee in our professional mentoring program. Heart U is the Association’s national online university, with more than 100,000 resources designed to meet your needs and busy schedule.

• Work-Life Harmonization – The Association offers Paid Time Off (PTO) at a minimum of 16 days per year for new employees. The number of days will increase based on seniority level. You will also have a total of 12 paid holidays off each year, which includes several days off at the end of the year.

• Tuition Assistance - We support the career development of all employees. This program provides financial assistance to employees who wish to further their education and career in relation to their current duties and responsibilities, or for potential future positions in the organization.

The American Heart Association’s 2028 Goal: Building on over 100 years of trusted leadership in cardiovascular and brain health, by 2028 the Association will drive breakthroughs and implement proven solutions in science, policy, and care for healthier people and communities. The greatest discoveries in health must reach everyone where they are.

At American Heart Association | American Stroke Association, our mission is to be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, religion, age, language, sexual orientation, national origin and physical or cognitive abilities.

This position not a match with your skills? Click here to see other opportunities.

In accordance with local and state laws where applicable, qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment.

EOE/Protected Veterans/Persons with Disabilities

#LI-Onsite

Join our Talent Community!

Join our Talent Community to receive updates on new opportunities and future events.

Software Powered by ICIMS

Default: Location : Location US-TN-Nashville

Posted Date (10/21/2026 4:15 PM)

Requisition ID 2026-18401

Job Category Field Campaigns

Position Type Full Time